MANDEVILLE, Manchester — It’s readily accepted that ambulances are crucial in the delivery of emergency services offered by the voluntary relief organisation Red Cross.

However, acting on the observation that more could be done particularly for people with disabilities, the Manchester branch of the Jamaica Red Cross has acquired what is termed a “specialised wheelchair vehicle”.

The addition of that vehicle allows the Red Cross to help beyond the emergency services, as it can now assist with the social needs of the physically challenged, for example, making it easier for them to attend church and to travel for business or pleasure.

On Thursday the new service — which organisers say was conceptualised in 2014 — was officially launched at the Golf View Hotel in Mandeville, signalling a new chapter for the organisation as it continues seeking to improve the lives of the most vulnerable.

“It is the first time that the Red Cross in Jamaica is offering this service,” public relations officer at the branch, Michael Walker, told the

Jamaica Observer Central.

A subsidised rate will be charged for the service, Walker said.

He said in order to make the project more achievable, the decision was taken to get the used Japanese import — a Toyota Voxy at a cost of approximately $2.5 million —instead of a much more expensive, new vehicle.

He told the audience that a duty-free allowance was not granted and a loan was taken to cover that cost.

As such, the project now has a deficit of just under $1 million.

The launch ceremony was also an opportunity to encourage people to pledge their support to remove the shortfall and to work with the Red Cross in its daily efforts.

Mayor of Mandeville Donovan Mitchell, Manchester North Western Member of Parliament Mikael Phillips, and Reverend Beryl Salmon of the St Patrick Revival General Assembly Church in Knockpatrick were among those indicating that they will build closer ties with the Red Cross and do more for the organisation.

People’s National Party caretaker in Manchester North Eastern Val Wint donated a biosensor machine for cholesterol and blood sugar testing.

Dr Michael Coombs, regional technical director for the Southern Regional Health Authority, lauded the move to have a specialised wheel chair vehicle as a “wonderful idea”.

The president of the Jamaica Red Cross, Dr Dennis Edwards, described the initiative as one that can be an example to the other branches.

The Manchester Co-operative Credit Union, the Central Manchester Returned Citizens Association, and GK Insurance are the major donors to the project, and as such earned spots for their logo on the vehicle.

The credit union and the citizens association made monetary contributions, while GK Insurance has given one year free insurance.

Funds raised through the annual banquet of the Manchester Branch of the Red Cross was also significant in making the vehicle — which can transport two wheelchair-bound individuals at a time — possible.